The Broken Promise of the Port Angeles Railroad

It began to dawn on the committee that there was but little substantial behind the project further than the bonus raised in Port Angeles. A little investigation developed the fact that Mr. Plummer was personally financially unable to build the road, and no one could find that he had any associates who were in a more fortunate situation. Upon all occasions he had been referred to as 'Mr. Plummer and his syndicate,' which in the beginning had the effect of producing visions of wealth. It is admitted that while Mr. Plummer has not built the road or began its construction, and was in fact never anything more than a broker with a 'scheme to sell,' he has put forth a most faithful effort to raise the money. However, as weeks passed and no effort to secure right-of-way occurred, the committee agreed that they would not tie up their property to any broker on uncertainties for eighteen months. So it can be written down that while our people have acted unselfishly, our railroad is a fizzle.